Saputara Lake lays placid and unruffled right in the center of the bush country, guarded circularly by the Sahyadri Hills. Chilled water, green envelope and availability of convert the whole area into a choicest of picnic spot of Saputara. Go on any day and you will find leisurely families lazing in the sun and kids taking up boat ride in the lake; the sign tells you are not in the prohibition of the country. Though for many the Lake is a single enticement but boating in the Lake gets you on the other side of the scenic story. The lake is 21 m in depth and abuzz with activities ... continued
Saputara Gardens: Alongside the greenery and lake-strewn vistas, Saputara has a few gardens for people to take the breather in between long walks. To make a choice from a boutique of gardens: Lake Garden, Step Garden, and Rose Gardens welcome its guests. Visiting Millennium Garden and Forest Nursery is fun to keep your eyes locked with the mountain magic ... continued
Saputara Museum is an age-old house of vitrines displaying life, culture, and art of tribal populace those residing in the Dang region of Gujarat. The museum is also the venue for workshop conduction where it is taught to design a traditional Dang item. A spectacular exhibition of bamboo handiworks ? pens, stands, key chains, jewelry, and masks ? are displayed inside the museum. Works of Bhils, Games, Warlis, as well as Kothewalis potters, are spread out impart knowledge on the ecology and culture of the tribes. Other items on presentation are tribal kitchen things, sarangis, dholkis, munitions, and paintings. Saputara Museum divulges a lot of focus on the Dang Tribe besides a thin brochure of Gujarat Tourism that mentions the tribe and its history in detail.
Forest Log huts recognized to be a world popular site laid out with wooden log huts, sui generis to the Saputara Log Huts. An architectural brilliance, Forest Log huts narrates the epitome of pastoral living. These are managed by the Forest Department and allow stays in the wilderness. Built-in a location that pleases eyes and gives balmy anointment to our weariness, Forest Log Huts is a means to feel the pleasant weather of Saputara at close quarters.
The Ropeway: Suspended above the lake is a cable that connects Vaity Hotel to Sunset Point, situated across the valley. Between 1730 and 1800, jeeps take passengers 2 km from the main roundabout up to the boarding point. The cable circuit takes 15 minutes to cross and offers a majestic view of the city of Saputara and the valley below. A word of caution though – the cable car will not operate without at least 12 passengers. This could sometimes mean the entire day’s wait.
Echo Point: The name reminds of the Bollywood scenes where the lady protagonist calls her lover’s name aloud on the ridges of the valley just to hear the name ringing in the air for some minutes. As suggested by the name, Echo Point is the valley place where the sound reverberates. Interestingly, the place is located in Matheran near Saputara and not in the Dang. Echo Point has a heart-warming beauty of the waterfall, intoxicating weather, and exotic scenery.
Hatgadh Fort: Hathgadh Fort is based on Hathgad Hills commanding spectacular views of surrounding areas. An antiquated fort of Mulher area in the Nasik district, this fort enriches the beauty of Sahyadri Hills. It is believed to be constructed by the great warrior and King of Marathas Chattrapati Shiva Ji way back during his reign. At the top point is located a beautiful idol of Lord Ganesha. The best way to sample out this archaic architecture is to walk down with a guide.
Note: The fort can be reached by jeep or bus for Rs 10.
Artist Village: A colorful village set for artists, the Artist Village is crammed with local handicraft items of local timber and bamboo. An interactive village, travelers can pick up jewelry, pen stands, key chains, paintings, pottery, vases, and made from bamboo and other local materials. An added advantage for children is that they can learn the knack of handicraft making at the center. One might interact at length with the tribal flock engaged in the art-making.
The Snake Sculpture: A huge snake sculpture near the Saputara Lake on a high pedestal is the reason behind Saputara’s moniker. This statue is called as Snake of Saputara and revered by the Dangis or the Dang tribe every year on the occasion of Holi.
Townview Point: Built out on an imposing height, Townview Point lets you hog a bird’s eye view of Saputara town. Stand tall on this altar during the sunset hours and catch an illuminated view of multi-colored Saputara
Valley View Point: This is in succession to the Town View Point in Saputara. As the name suggests, Valley View Point is the point where tourists can have an areal view of the whole valley and Sahyadri range. The point can also be reached by trekking and there is a velvety lawn where you can rest.
Nearby places to visit
Waghai (Distance: 79 km) is the second largest town of the Dangs. Although it does not have the infrastructure for tourism, Waghai is near several places of interest and has some accommodation possibilities. It is worth considering it as a base to explore Saputara and nearby towns. The town itself is a two-street town with shops and markets engaged in selling, hawking, bright sarees, small items, and handicrafts. Most importantly, Waghai has a petrol pump where you can get your tank filled. Besides, the town has nothing to attract rather the main attractions are off Waghai ... continued
Ahwa Distance: 42 km: The district headquarter of the Dangs, Ahwa has nothing much to see apart its villages and driveways. Traveling through the road to Ahwa gets you along a calmer and quaint roadside with all the more wilderness and forest. The villages and countryside are tiny with too less of stoppages. Ahwa hosts an annual fair know as Dang Darbar. Every year in the month of March and April, the place swells with the crowd and fair visitors.
Gira Falls: Though this site is under development, Gira Falls is 3 km off Waghai. Maintained under the surveillance of the Forest Department, the Falls can be approached from the Waghai-Saputara route, just 1 km descend from the main road. Water cascades from 30 m above into Ambica River and offers a great place to relax. Steps are being constructed near the falls in order to make it more approachable.
Vansda National Park (60 km): Spanning vast on 24 sq km, Vansda National Park extends to the border into Navsari district of the Dangs. Until 1975, this was the property of King of Vansda after which it was taken over by the Gujarat State Forest Department. Ambica River cuts and demarcates the National Park into two. Vansda National Park is still replete with leopard, hyena, Jungle Cat, macaques and barking deer and Great Indian Squirrel. With over 115 species of winged species, it also offers a great delight to the bird watchers. This park is host to a rich number of verdure and avifauna species than wild animals.
Note: No camping is allowed at Vansda National Park. Tourists must get the information in advance at Range Forest Officer
Shabari Dham: Shabari Dham is situated on Ahwa Road toward Navapura. It is a Hindu temple which was given final touches in 2006 with its complete construction is dedicated to Shabari, a woman belonging to the Bhil tribes who have a mention as Lord Rama’s ardent devotee in Ramayana ? the Hindu Holy book. As said and believed by the local tribesmen, Shabari Dham is the spot where Lord Rama, Lakshmana, and Shabari sat together to feast on berries offered to them by Shabari. Nearby the temple is Pampa Lake — the new freshwater lake and resource associated with Rama’s bathing.
Purna Wildlife Sanctuary (Distance: 40 km): Teak and Bamboo thickets envelope Purna wildlife sanctuary — the densest forest in the Dangs. A copious flora and fauna variety fill the place to the riches of nature on 160 sq km plateaus, valleys and idyllic charms. The rainfall Purna Wildlife Sanctuary receives, 2500 mm, is awarded highest in the region of Gujarat. Moreover, Purna is characterized as a tropical moist and deciduous forest. Tribes of Bhils, Warli, Konkona, Dubla, and Kolcha reside inside the sanctuary and enrich the area with their clothing, jewelry, musical instruments, and folk dances.
Mahal (50 km ): The name is synonymous with that of a ‘Fort’ but Mahal is actually the name of the largest village on the boundary of Purna Forest Bungalow picturesquely situated on the Purna River fold. Best is to relax and enjoy the ambiance of nature in its two spacious suites. Cook and caretaker double up but the eating ingredients have to be brought by the suite resident himself.
Kiomoi TIP: Forest has trekking opportunities. Seek these with the help of a guide.
Girmal Falls: The trek up to Girmal Falls are rewarding as it is the ever-most scenic sight to behold! Located 1 km off the Mahal-Singana Road running parallel along the Gira River, Girmal Falls wears a pretty look during rains against the hill with rare flora and fauna.
Things To Do while in Saputara
1-You can call it a version of Naini Lake. Boating in Saputara Lake is the evergreen catch of this hill destination
2-Learn to differentiate between pure and adulterated honey worth your money at Honey Bee Centre.
3-Pay a visit to Nageshwar Mahadev Temple—one of the 12 Jyotirlingas.
4-The slide above valleys and dense forests in the ropeway for 15 minutes.
5-Living in the Forest Log huts is a lifetime experience to some of the ecstatic locus.
6-The secret behind Saputara is its soothing, balmy climate. It is also a major reason to check out this countryside seclusion.
7-Aside from climate, the green appeal salves the weariness of the soul as the valley is layered with jungles and greens.
8-Eating is not-so-attractive part but Gujarati Thalis steals the limelight for sure. Taste and sample lip-smacking scrummy here.
9-Amazingly, there are no shops rather an Artist Village to buy local handicraft items.
10-There are loads of Gardens to stopover and enjoy holidays.
11- Last and not least, Saputara is the quietest hillock to spend quiet evenings and leisurely days.
